Annual Report

2016

Wetenschappelijk & Technisch Onderzoeks- Centrum voor Diamant

WTOCD Plaslaar 50, B-2500 LIER

Tel: (03) 488 06 09

Fax: (03) 488 30 18

www.wtocd.be

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WTOCD (Scientific and Technical Research centre for Diamond) is at the service of

the diamond sector since 1977. WTOCD was founded under the law De Grootte of 1947 describing the conditions for the establishment and operation of centres charged with the promotion and coordination of the technical progress of the different branches of the country's business community through scientific research. The mission statement of the research centre is outlined in the statutes of the centre:

“The scientific and technological research to enhance the tools, machines, equipment and

processing methods, the automation, the evaluation methods and the expansion of the

application possibilities of diamond”. The research topics therefore include all aspects of

planning, processing and grading.

The management organization of the research centre contains representatives of the di-amond sector and scientific personalities appointed by IWT (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen). The scientific and technological research topics span the entire chain from rough to pol-ished, including measurement, evaluation and processing. Recent examples of develop-ments by WTOCD are D-Screen & M-Screen (screening for potential synthetic and HPHT-colour enhanced diamond), AvalonPlus (in-process measurement of zoetheid and geome-try of facets), EOSFancy (automatic bruting of fancy shapes), Reflex (ultra-accurate measurement of polished diamond), Morgana (fast and accurate alignment of polishing tools) and Grain Independent Polishing (fast, safe and grain independent polishing tech-nique).

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CCoonntteennttss 1 Management Organization of WTOCD ................................................................. 5

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/16) .............................................................. 5

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité ............................................................................. 6

1.3 Director of WTOCD ................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Commissioners ........................................................................................................... 6

2 Research and service ................................................................................................. 7

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Research projects ........................................................................................................ 9 2.2.1 Grain independent polishing ......................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 M-Screen ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3 Lumisense ................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.4 AvalonPlus .................................................................................................................. 14 2.2.5 Morgana ...................................................................................................................... 15

2.3 Service-activiteiten (TAD) ....................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Advice ......................................................................................................................... 16 2.3.2 Website ........................................................................................................................ 17

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1 Management Organization of WTOCD

1.1 Members of the Algemene Raad (31/12/16)

1.1.1 Fifteen members appointed by SBD

▪ On behalf of "Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid bv”:

Mr. P. VAN DER STEEN (President) E. DENCKENS W. OLLECH J. VAN EYCK B. DE HANTSETTERS A. VERHAERE D. OSTE

▪ On behalf of "Vereniging van Kempische Diamantwerkgevers vzw": Mr. W. RUYTHOOREN

▪ On behalf of "Antwerpsche Diamantkring cvba":

Mr. E. VLEESCHDRAGER

▪ On behalf of "Beurs voor Diamanthandel cvba": Mr. M. VETS

▪ On behalf of "Diamantclub van Antwerpen cvba":

Mr. K. SMETS

▪ On behalf of "Vrije Diamanthandel nv": Mr. J. DRYBOOMS

▪ On behalf of "Belgische Vereniging van Handelaars, In- en Uitvoerders van

Geslepen Diamant bv": Mr. H. KEESJE

▪ On behalf of "Groepering der Industriediamantfirma's in België bv":

Mr. Ch. CYTO

▪ On behalf of "Vereniging van Handelaars in Ruwe Diamant bv": Mr. R. STEIGRAD

1.1.2 One member manufacturer appointed by VKD

▪ Mr. CHR. VAN EYNDT

1.1.3 One member appointed by VEV (Vice-President)

▪ Mr. P. MACKEN (until 23/06/16)

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1.1.4 Two members appointed by ABVV Textiel, Kleding en Diamant

▪ Mr. P. DE BACKER E. VERPLANCKEN

1.1.5 Two members appointed by ACV-Transcom

▪ Mrs. M. DILLEN Mr. Y. TOUTENEL

1.1.6 Six members with exceptional knowledge in the field of scientific and

technological research

▪ Three members appointed by Syndicaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid: Mr. Prof. P. CLAUWS

Prof. G. VAN TENDELOO Prof. D. POELMAN

▪ Three members appointed by IWT:

Mr. Prof. D. SCHOEMAKER Prof. J. VAN LANDUYT

Prof. L. VAN MEERVELT

1.2 Members of the Bestendig Comité

President: Mr. P. VAN DER STEEN Vice-President: Mr. P. MACKEN (until 23/06/16)

Mr. W. OLLECH (until 18/10/16)

D. OSTE (starting from 19/10/16) W. RUYTHOOREN

B. DE HANTSETTERS Prof. D. POELMAN

Mr. Y. TOUTENEL

1.3 Director of WTOCD

• Mr. Y. KERREMANS

1.4 Commissioners

• Mr. L. CORNELISSENS (until 18/10/16) W. HENNEUSE Mrs. E. VAN LOOVEREN (starting from 19/10/16)

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From rough to polished

Development trajectory from lab version to commercial product

2 Research and service

2.1 Introduction

The activities of WTOCD can be divided in research and service. The service activities are an efficient means to offer solutions for questions coming directly from diamond compa-nies, but they also allow tuning of the research topics of WTOCD to the specific needs of the sector.

Within the framework of the research activities in 2016, following research topics can be identified:

• screening (M-Screen), • processing (Grain Independent Polishing); • measuring and evaluation (Lumisense, AvalonPlus and Morgana);

In 2016 three projects were given priority: M-Screen, Grain Independent Polishing and Lumisense.

To optimize the transition from a lab version to a commercial product WTOCD uses so-called pre-prototypes. Those devices are already tuned to usage in a production environ-ment but do not yet contain all functionalities. The pre-prototypes are tested in the field and fine-tuned in close collaboration with a limited user group. The development trajec-tory from lab version to commercial product is shortened considerably by this early fine tuning to the practical use in the diamond sector.

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In this annual report the research and service activities in 2016 are described. More in-formation can be found on www.wtocd.be.

The service activities (TAD) of the research centre are delivered in the form of an advice service, a patent service and the website. In 2016 WTOCD also supported the different departments of HRD Antwerp (Equipment, Diamond Lab and Research).

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2.2 Research projects

2.2.1 Grain independent polishing

Target Group Gem diamond industry and other industrial applications of diamond

Description In the classical polishing process, crystal orientation of the diamond determines the re-moval rate. Therefore, it is necessary to find the appropriate polishing direction, which requires special skills of the polisher. The classical polishing process also imposes tech-nical restrictions because of the substantial rise in temperature in the polishing zone.

The ultimate goal of the project Grain Independent Polishing (GIP) of Diamond is the de-velopment of industrial GIP-based polishing machines to rough and finish diamond auto-matically with the emphasis on a high removal rate and process safety because of a low processing temperature. In a first phase WOSCAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) will use the combination of the measurement of the rough diamond and the optimized model from a rough planning de-vice. With that information all necessary processing steps will be executed and controlled automatically. Activities in 2016 In 2016, the production and assembly of a fully automatic WOSCAM pre-prototype was completed and the machine was put into use in the WTOCD lab. The priority was the alignment of all mechanical moving elements (linear and rotational axes).

Control and alignment of the index-axis (polishing head).

At the same time WTOCD and Coborn Engineering developed and optimized the pre-prototype operating software and user interface. With their years of experience in ma-chine construction, Coborn focused on the high precision steering of the machine, while WTOCD concentrated on the diamond-related aspects.

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Primary user interface of WOSCAM.

In parallel, the transfer of planning information from a commercial rough planner to WOSCAM continued in 2016. The setting station that was developed and produced by WTOCD in 2015 made it possible for the first time to take over the plan in the polishing machine. The glued stone is measured and the planning refers to the real position in the WOSCAM machine.

Primary user interface of the setting station for the transfer of the rough planner to WOSCAM.

By the end of 2016, WTOCD for the first time had all the necessary elements for fully au-tomated diamond processing with direct planning transfer (rough planner – setting sta-tion - WOSCAM). Several test stones were processed to determine the necessary correc-tions on WOSCAM. The results achieved in 2016 represent an important input for the op-timization and final deployment of the WOSCAM pre-prototype in 2017.

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2.2.2 M-Screen

Target Group Gem diamond trade Description For the detection of synthetic and/or coloured enhanced diamond one relies on a certifi-cation lab that has the necessary specialised knowledge and equipment. Screening equipment allows in specific cases to distinguish quickly between natural, untreated dia-mond on the one hand and potentially synthetic and/or HPHT colour enhanced diamond on the other. The commercially available screening devices are to be operated manually, were designed for diamonds starting from 10-20 points or are too slow to screen large parcels of diamonds in an acceptable time. That makes them in practice not suitable for screening batches of small stones. Therefore, WTOCD was contracted at the end of 2013 to develop a fast, compact and fully automatic melee screener.

To that aim various aspects had to be addressed: feeding, detection of non-diamond, screening for potential synthetic and HPHT colour enhanced diamonds, separation and general conditioning of the working environment. For the aspect of the screening for po-tential synthetic and HPHT colour enhanced diamonds WTOCD could rely on its extensive expertise acquired during the development of D-Screen. WTOCD developed that manual screener for diamonds from 0.20 to 10 ct already in 2004, and the unit is still in-dispensable in manual screening. Screening identifies all diamonds exhibiting a specific characteristic, in the case of M-Screen the lack of a measurable quantity of nitrogen. Because all synthetic diamonds within a colour range possess that property, the screening is useful for that color range. Because there are also natural diamonds that feature that characteristic, screening will select more diamonds than only the synthetic ones, hence the wording 'potential synthet-ic’. To obtain a conclusive answer whether a diamond is actually synthetic, potentially synthetic stones are referred to more time consuming techniques. Melee screening reduc-es a large batch of diamonds to a much smaller parcel for which time consuming manual techniques are acceptable.

Functional scheme of M-Screen.

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Activities in 2016 In the course of 2016 WTOCD intensively supported the Equipment department of HRD Antwerp in solving technical problems during the production and the maintenance of M-Screen. Moreover the findings of users and participants of demonstrations were incorpo-rated in M-Screen. In the course of 2016 research was conducted to expand the size range of M-Screen. In September 2016 that resulted in M-Screen Plus, a device that can screen melee starting from 1 mm diameter (ca. 0,004 ct). The upgraded of a standard M-Screen to a Plus-version is rather straightforward.

Start screen of M-Screen Plus.

Range of M-Screen and M-Screen Plus.

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2.2.3 Lumisense

Target Group Gem diamond trade Description

Lumisense was developed for HRD Antwerp to automate the colour grading process of polished diamond. The classical method for colour grading is based on visual observation. By using state-of-the-art technologies, Lumisense produces an extremely high correlation with human col-our grading, avoiding the inherent restrictions of the human grading method. Lumisense is not restricted by fluorescence nor by the type of diamond and it can reveal the slightest changes in hues of colour. Precision and stability are key aspects of the de-vice optimized for laboratory use. Lumisense is functional in the HRD Diamond Lab since 2007. Activities in 2016 In 2016 the functionality of Lumisense was extented with the measurement of the fluo-rescence (nil – slight – medium – strong). The measurement occurs concurrently with the determination of the color grade and causes a minimal increase of the processing time.

0.51 ct blue fluo strong and 0.49 ct yellow fluo slight (intensity enhanced) in Lumisense.

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2.2.4 AvalonPlus

Target Group Gem diamond industry Description The ‘zoetheid’ of a polished facet reflects the visibility of polishing lines, and it is graded by optical inspection. This project aims to establish a mathematical definition for the ‘zoetheid’ of a polished facet. The results are applied in the AvalonPlus device. That suc-cessor of the previous generation Avalon can not only quantify ‘zoetheid’ and other ex-ternal features but also quantify the geometry of a facet being polished. Activities in 2016 In 2016 work was done on a basic version of AvalonPlus, called AvalonPlus Basic. A sur-vey of a number of companies, in Belgium and abroad, showed that there was a need for a simplified version of the device. The measurement of facet geometry was omitted, which could reduce the complexity of the device. Through a thorough re-design and use of the latest technology, such as 3D printing, a second requirement could be addressed, namely reducing cost. Together with a drastic simplification of the hardware and soft-ware, this led to the implementation of two prototypes, one as a standalone system and one system for integration into a polishing mill. In 2017, further tests will follow.

Built-in AvalonPlus Basic.

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2.2.5 Morgana

Target Group Gem diamond industry Description Traditionally a level is used to align tang plates to the scaife. Polishing tangs are also equipped with a level to monitor the position of the grain axis. This working method is not only cumbersome but also inaccurate leading to a waste of precious time. WTOCD developed the Morgana product group that offers a series of tools to the polisher. Four applications can be identified:

• the alignment of tang plates relative to the polishing scaife; • the monitoring of the grain axis during the polishing process; • the alignment of a facet on the polishing scaife; • the checking of the setting of the stone in the tang.

In order to assist the users of this new alignment technology, the Morgana software con-tains an extensive and clear on-screen manual. Activities in 2016 At the end of 2016 WTOCD developed a first test set-up of an angle measurement device as a spin-off of Morgana. That device makes it possible to measure inclination angles of stones in the tang. The first industry tests with a pre-prototype of the angle measure-ment device are scheduled for mid-2017.

Morgana.

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2.3 Service-activiteiten (TAD)

2.3.1 Advice

Description Through its TAD service WTOCD not only advises the diamond industry on technological issues, but also on diamond related intellectual property. This helps diamond companies applying for and obtaining patents, trademarks and design patents, and advises in cases of possible infringement of intellectual property rights. Activities in 2016 In 2016 approximately 0.5 FTE was spent on the TAD-activity. Questions from the sector were answered in the form of technological and patent related advices. An important as-pect of the TAD activity is the introduction and support of new technologies.

More information http://www.wtocd.be/en/TAD/tad-main.html

Webpage (www.wtocd.be) of the TAD service of WTOCD.

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2.3.2 Website

Description

The website of WTOCD informs on current research projects and the results of previous projects that led to ready-to-use solutions or services. Some projects are extensively documented, others have a non-disclosure status and are only described by an identity kit. Activities in 2016 The development of the new website was temporarily frozen because of the need of per-sonnel in priority projects. The aim is to rectify this in 2017 with the launch of the new website in the autumn. The number of visitors decreased by average 13% in 2016 com-pared to 2015. This is in line with expectations due to the delayed launch of the new website. The distribution of the popularity of the visited pages within the projects shows that Hearts & Arrows remains the most popular project. This is due to the extensive in-formation provided and the acceptance of the developed H&A expert system as a stand-ard.

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Research and Innovation

in all its facets

www.wtocd.be